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1.Travel on foot in Prague to get the most wonderful experience from UNESCO protected sites such as Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Don’t be surprised if the cobbled lanes, beautiful architecture and fascinating history leave you spellbound!Read More

1.Travel on foot in Prague to get the most wonderful experience from UNESCO protected sites such as Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Don’t be surprised if the cobbled lanes, beautiful architecture and fascinating history leave you spellbound!

I love Czechia. I love it so much that I have visited Czech Republic 8 times in past one year. In this post I will be specifically covering Bohemian Switzerland. It lies in the northern part of Czechia along with German Border. The area is covered with forest and sandstone hills which use to lie under the sea millions of years ago. There are a number of trails you can do in this region. Each one of them giving you a unique experience. I will be specifically covering the one I took which leads you straight to Pravčická brána, the largest natural Sandstone Arch in Europe. You may have spotted this sight in the movie Narnia. I have attached a video above which covers my Trip to Czechia and Slovakia

The morning at Prague was a pleasant one . The sun was shining and the cold winds were complementing the beauty of the surroundings. Prague involved a lot of walk through cobbled streets so we slipped into comfortable walking shoes . The first place we were taken to was the majestic St Vitus Cathedral which is a striking example of gothic and neo-gothic architecture dating back to the 12th century . For more information https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors/objects-for-visitors/st.-vitus-cathedral-10330.After that we saw the museum of armamentarium adjacent to it and went on a walk towards the highlight of the tour , the famous Charle&apos;s Bridge . I wonder how many movies have been shot on this place and I felt blessed walking over it and soaking in the beauty of the place . With local painters lined up to paint the scenery and artists performing around every small corner , the wonderful statues . It was a sight to behold . We went on walking until we reached the town square which houses the famous Astronomical clock.The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating. Every hour the clock displays a beautiful play of puppets and the crowd just join in to watch the show. My passion for collecting wines from all over the world took me to a quaint shop with some excellent collections and amongst one I bought was the green fairy , Absinthe.Read more about it to know . The festivities were still in full flow on the town square but our hearts were getting heavier as the trip was nearing its closure .Finally the younger members of the group clubbed in to enjoy the last bit of the evening with a fantastic diner at a lovely pub plying live music . We called it a day .

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world — it’s like you stepped inside a fairytale. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and that shows the historic component of the city more than anything else. It's a city that still has trams running in the middle of cobbled pathways and small cafes lined up on the sidewalks welcoming you to try their ice creams and other baked goods. And the beer in Prague is one of the best that you'll taste in the world. Germany may have Octoberfest but it's Prague that boasts of the best beer in Europe. Here's a city where you don't even have to speak, just place a beer mat on your table and beer is served. Prague is a city as beautiful as Paris, with a history as rich as Rome.Cheapest Month To Fly: October 2017 from MumbaiMust See: Kafka Museum, Prague Castle, Jewish Museum, St. George's Basilica and Kampa Park.Must Eat: Potato Pancakes, Pork Knuckle, Steak Tartare and Eggs; Svickova na Smetane (beef in gravy) and Kolaches.Must Do: Walk along the Charles Bridge; See the hour pass by in the Prague Astronomical Clock; See a show at the Prague National Theatre; Climb the steps to see the Prague Castle and enjoy the city view from there; Try a local beer; Dance in front of the Dancing House; Get a photo in front of the Lennon Wall.Approximate Cost for a day: Attractions – Rs. 400; Food – Rs. 1100; Inter-city travel via public transport – Rs. 250; Accommodation – Average cost for 1 night – Rs. 2000 on double occupancy.

Day 5In no mood to leave Budapest, we hopped on to the 6 hour long train to Prague witnessing some of the most picturesque landscapes, straight out of my painting book.Sun-kissed in Budapest, wearing summery shorts.Cut to reaching Prague in the evening. It's almost like it was going to snow. We were in for the coldest two days of our lives.Honestly, most of our time in Prague was spent figuring out the maze like roads, all leading to Old Town Square. The rest of the time was spent shivering, and walking on the Charles Bridge, with musicians playing the best of street music.What not to miss in Prague - Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Frida Kahlo's Museum and the infamous Pub Crawl.Trust me, it will be the best night of your night that you will never remember.

5. For us the heart touching encounter with the Church of our Lady Victorious, which is the seat of 'Infant Jesus' was the brief meeting with the Reverend Archbishop Father Dominik Duka who was personally meeting all the people, irrespective of the religious affiliations, present at the Church for the Holy Thursday prayer.When he came to meet us, he was more than amused to know we are from India. He told us that he spent two years in Kerala and excitedly recited the few Malayalam words that he had picked up. He told us that he loved India for being a melting pot of various religions, castes, creeds and beliefs. While we were in disagreement on India's reputation as the melting pot of various beliefs, the Reverend Father quickly retorted, 'Even the people who crucified Christ didn't love Him less, they just didn't love themselves much. Once we start respecting and loving ourselves truly, we will not be disillusioned by the blindfold of wrong. So don't doubt the Power of India and it's soul. It will outshine the rest. God bless you'.When we exited the Church, we were three ladies with the brightest eyes and the widest smiles.

4. Prague is symbolised with the Lennon Wall and Lennon Wall symbolises with 'Free World'. Wherever we went, there was atleast one good Samaritan with a Free Hug Board. I was one of the takers of the Free Hug. It was just hug and a smile. The warmth of that Good Samaritan is still with me. I asked him, 'Why are you doing this?'. He smiled and said, 'If not this, then what? Just with a hug, you will remember me. I am a celebrity just by doing what needs to be done'.

3. Prague or Praha, our next destination was the epicenter of a number of civil liberty movements both in the first and the second world War. A nation with its own currency (which is just 3 times of INR ; victory dance) was expected to be quite a contrast from the Elite Vienna.But then....We were at the tube station at Prague waiting for the elevator because with the luggage that we had, it was quite a task to take the escalator and impossible to take the stairs. It's then that an elderly woman, who also was taking for the elevator, smiled at us. She asked 'Africa'. We were shocked, and quickly replied, 'No India'. Sibling and I looked at each other, 'Ghar jaake dahi lagayenge to get rid of this tan. Fucking hell'. She started communicating with us in Czech. Our first encounter with language barrier. She didn't know English, we didn't know Czech.But she was hell beant to talk. She told us in broken English that she is from Bulgaria and works as a cleaning lady at the Prague Airport. She asked us 'Where To?'. We showed the map and spotted the location. She tried to make us understand and we said 'Okay' in a matter of fact manner because we knew very well knew the route. But I guess it was our confident 'okay' which made her feel that we didn't understand. At the platform she herself went to people around to see if someone spoke English and could guide us on the route. The lady had a walking stick but that didn't deter her from going to people around, seeking help. She got us a translator who enthusiastically told us the route. We were amazed at the local hospitality. When the tube came she got on the tube with us and spotted at the digital navigation to tell us the station we have to get down. Throughout the journey she spoke about India, Indian food, especially Indian Movies, 'Anand' being her favourite.When our station came she bid us goodbye and waved the warmest flying kiss ever.

We landed in Prague on 21st March expecting a better climate than we encountered in Manchester. Although there were no British rains to deal with, the weather was pretty cold for Europe in March. On the bright side, the apartment we had booked on Airbnb turned out to be better than we expected. A lush yet inexpensive apartment five-ten minutes away from all the major landmarks in the city, at least those that we intended to cover.

Napping in one of the DB trains to Hamburg was a good ride for a long day to explore and know. St. Micheal's Church and its story was first on my list. Followed by Stadpark, Hamburg. Attending mini concerts at the fish market. And spent my other half of the day at Moenckebergstrasse and around the city central. Town's best chicken burger at Burgerlich was a must try!Read More

Napping in one of the DB trains to Hamburg was a good ride for a long day to explore and know. St. Micheal's Church and its story was first on my list. Followed by Stadpark, Hamburg. Attending mini concerts at the fish market. And spent my other half of the day at Moenckebergstrasse and around the city central. Town's best chicken burger at Burgerlich was a must try!

Germany's second largest city has a sophisticated demeanour, behind which lurks mischief and abandon. Hamburg is considerably smaller than Berlin, more tight-night and connected, and yet thoroughly eclectic when it comes to art and music.Getting around in HamburgThe U-Bahn is the best way to explore most of Hamburg's sights. A lot of walking will inevitably be involved. A single day pass for unlimited use of all public transport costs €6.20 a day for adults, €2.30 for children aged 6 to 14. Bike rentals are available, but not as accessible or widely advertised as in Berlin

Dresden was once called the “Florence on the Elbe” being one of Europe’s architectural and artistic highlights. However, much of it was bombed during WWII and much of the city was not much more than a rubble heap. On February 13, 1945, 800 British aircraft showered the city with 2,600 tons of bombs. The Americans followed the next morning with 300 Flying Fortress bombers. It is estimated that 25,000 people were killed, while 13 square miles of the historic city center were destroyed. With temperatures rising to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, the burning city was visible to pilots from 100 miles away. Dresden was a central hub for the Nazi’s and the city remained loyal to them, hence its destruction. Being Saturday evening, there was not much open other than restaurants and bars, but it was lovely seeing the city at this time of day. The streets were crowded with tourists and residents strolling and chatting in various languages. What struck us the most was that it was COLD. We both had liners under our coats, but we could have used gloves and scarves too. The outdoor restaurants all had their heatalators on to keep the hungry crowds warm enough to sit through a meal.

Leipzig had the largest Hauptbahnhof in Europe until Berlin usurped it. This seems to be the trade fair capital of Germany and an important city for such throughout Europe dating back centuries. What we did not know was that Leipzig was having a Goth festival. As we were walking and admiring the beautiful architecture, there were many other sights to see walking along side of us. For music lovers, which I do not count amongst the many, Leipzig is where Johann Sebastian Bach lived for a good part of his life and was the Kantor in the Thomaskirche. He is buried in the choir with the Bach archives across the street. Felix Mendelssohn headed the Gewandhaus Orchestra and founded the first conservatory in Germany. Richard Wagner was born here, receiving his musical training here. This city also boasts Germany’s first stock exchange.Read More

Leipzig had the largest Hauptbahnhof in Europe until Berlin usurped it. This seems to be the trade fair capital of Germany and an important city for such throughout Europe dating back centuries. What we did not know was that Leipzig was having a Goth festival. As we were walking and admiring the beautiful architecture, there were many other sights to see walking along side of us. For music lovers, which I do not count amongst the many, Leipzig is where Johann Sebastian Bach lived for a good part of his life and was the Kantor in the Thomaskirche. He is buried in the choir with the Bach archives across the street. Felix Mendelssohn headed the Gewandhaus Orchestra and founded the first conservatory in Germany. Richard Wagner was born here, receiving his musical training here. This city also boasts Germany’s first stock exchange.

I felt that the possibilities were endless. If I could see a brightly lit world at midnight, the world surely had to be a magical place.__I came to Bremen in August 2014 as an exchange student from India, with little money and too much hope. And I left 5 months later feeling like a burned out matchstick - dazed over the loss of fire and hugging the leftover heat. It changed my life. Traveling is supposed to do that. But perhaps this trip broke something that defined me. Crushed my soul. Let me take this blogpost to explain why.__I grew up loving maps and atlases. I never felt at home amongst the coconut trees and sunny skies of Kerala. I fantasized of running away. Spent hours every night at my window wishing I could fly out through the gap in the bars. I read and reread all my Enid Blyton novels, imagining myself shuffling through the snow, sipping ginger beer and fitting in. You might have felt this too. This yearning to escape. It is beyond curiosity, it becomes the reason to live. And as I grew older and the fantasies became marred by the logic of physics, I went into claustrophobic panic attacks looking at the iron bars on that window. I had to escape.I found my way soon enough and my dream came true. Perhaps too soon.__As I boarded the flight to Bremen, my heart pounded and I wept. And as I was shown my quaint hostel room with it’s white walls and gigantic window, I couldn’t contain myself.We (my co-exchange students) soon set out to explore. From long supermarket aisles to the dew-grazed flowers on the roadsides to the ancient streets of Schnoor (more on Schnoor later). The air smelt like buns, not smoke. The buses came sharp on time and my co-passengers were all excitingly unique. I bought ginger beer and relished the wait for the first snow. And as summer wound to a slow close, we got bicycles, frequented a lonely park and enjoyed the bright nights from my window sill. Bremen, you see, was perfect. It was small, exciting and full of ancient wonders in it’s city centre.Read More

I felt that the possibilities were endless. If I could see a brightly lit world at midnight, the world surely had to be a magical place.__I came to Bremen in August 2014 as an exchange student from India, with little money and too much hope. And I left 5 months later feeling like a burned out matchstick - dazed over the loss of fire and hugging the leftover heat. It changed my life. Traveling is supposed to do that. But perhaps this trip broke something that defined me. Crushed my soul. Let me take this blogpost to explain why.__I grew up loving maps and atlases. I never felt at home amongst the coconut trees and sunny skies of Kerala. I fantasized of running away. Spent hours every night at my window wishing I could fly out through the gap in the bars. I read and reread all my Enid Blyton novels, imagining myself shuffling through the snow, sipping ginger beer and fitting in. You might have felt this too. This yearning to escape. It is beyond curiosity, it becomes the reason to live. And as I grew older and the fantasies became marred by the logic of physics, I went into claustrophobic panic attacks looking at the iron bars on that window. I had to escape.I found my way soon enough and my dream came true. Perhaps too soon.__As I boarded the flight to Bremen, my heart pounded and I wept. And as I was shown my quaint hostel room with it’s white walls and gigantic window, I couldn’t contain myself.We (my co-exchange students) soon set out to explore. From long supermarket aisles to the dew-grazed flowers on the roadsides to the ancient streets of Schnoor (more on Schnoor later). The air smelt like buns, not smoke. The buses came sharp on time and my co-passengers were all excitingly unique. I bought ginger beer and relished the wait for the first snow. And as summer wound to a slow close, we got bicycles, frequented a lonely park and enjoyed the bright nights from my window sill. Bremen, you see, was perfect. It was small, exciting and full of ancient wonders in it’s city centre.